West Branch, IA Demographics

A map of West Branch's Population by Race

West Branch, Iowa has an estimated population of 2,594, an increase from the 2,509 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.3% White, 3.7% Hispanic, 1.4% Multiracial, 0.3% Black, 0.3% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of West Branch, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

West Branch has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In West Branch, that probability was 18.9% in 2020 and 10.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

West Branch is ranked the 140th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). West Branch was ranked the 139th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

West Branch's White Population

2,446 residents of West Branch, or 94.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in West Branch is considerably higher than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. West Branch ranks 755th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Branch's White population has grown by an estimated 8.5%. White residents' share of West Branch's population has increased from 89.8% to 94.3%.

West Branch is more White than neighboring West Liberty (44.2% White), Iowa City (70.4% White), Nichols (86.6% White), and Rochester (60% White). West Branch is less White than neighboring Downey (100% White).

West Branch's Black Population

9 residents of West Branch, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in West Branch is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. West Branch ranks 319th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Branch's Black population has declined by an estimated 43.8%. Black residents' share of West Branch's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

West Branch is more Black than neighboring Downey (0% Black), West Liberty (0% Black), Nichols (0% Black), and Rochester (0% Black). West Branch is less Black than neighboring Iowa City (9.4% Black).

West Branch's Asian Population

8 residents of West Branch, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in West Branch is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. West Branch ranks 280th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Branch's Asian population has declined by an estimated 38.5%. Asian residents' share of West Branch's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

West Branch is more Asian than neighboring Downey (0% Asian), West Liberty (0% Asian), Nichols (0% Asian), and Rochester (0% Asian). West Branch is less Asian than neighboring Iowa City (7.1% Asian).

West Branch's Hispanic Population

95 residents of West Branch, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in West Branch is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. West Branch ranks 219th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Branch's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 26.4%. Hispanic residents' share of West Branch's population has decreased from 5.1% to 3.7%.

West Branch is more Hispanic than neighboring Downey (0% Hispanic), and Rochester (0% Hispanic). West Branch is less Hispanic than neighboring West Liberty (55.5% Hispanic), Iowa City (8.1% Hispanic), and Nichols (12.9% Hispanic).

West Branch's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of West Branch, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in West Branch is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. West Branch ranks 567th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Branch's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of West Branch's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

West Branch is less Native American/Other than neighboring Iowa City (0.7% Native American/Other).

West Branch's Multiracial Population

36 residents of West Branch, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in West Branch is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. West Branch ranks 256th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Branch's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 60.9%. Multiracial residents' share of West Branch's population has decreased from 3.7% to 1.4%.

West Branch is more Multiracial than neighboring Downey (0% Multiracial), West Liberty (0.3% Multiracial), and Nichols (0.5% Multiracial). West Branch is less Multiracial than neighboring Iowa City (4.3% Multiracial), and Rochester (40% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.